Guest column:Cory Cabral ... Zoo issues larger than the pond

When the Naples Daily News broke the story about saving the lily pond at the Naples Zoo, our group then began receiving contacts from people in the community that had other great concerns for what had taken place on the property.

As we started to study the information provided it was clear that there was a pattern of systematic removal of horticulture on the property. Documentation and photos that community members had brought in to us for review showed choice specimens of trees, palms and plantings being destroyed.

Mangroves cut and removed. Wetland being impacted.

Google aerial photographs were provided from 2008 and 2012. One look at these before-and-after aerials and anyone can see that large amounts of landscaping have been removed. Photos were provided of pathway and lakeside plantings, grown on site and installed over the years, now removed. All letters and photos are being presented to Collier County commissioners.

When we were given a copy of the zoo's "master plan" announced in 2008 and the lease between Naples Zoo Inc. and the county, we were quite surprised to see numerous paragraphs referencing the "protection, preservation and maintenance" of the "horticulture, botanical gardens and plantings.'' But there was a direct conflict in language as it also states the lessee can remove any plantings with a value of $25,000 or under without approval from the county.

Collier County is the steward of our Caribbean Gardens.

County officials advised our group that they do not do any monitoring of the property.

Who is overseeing the taxpayers' investment?

If you look at the "master plan" presented to the community in 2008 its design requires removal of 70 percent of the Caribbean Gardens for future zoo exhibits. That is 70 percent! Gone forever.

The removal process started and continues with new plans submitted for permitting.

We met with zoo staff and board members to discuss the concerns. The board members asked us to create a list of questions and our proposal for suggestions. We included an outlined offer to help along with annual fund-raising for the preservation of the Caribbean Gardens. We received an email response from incoming board president Matt Mclean saying "please forward all further correspondence to our attorney."

We were advised by numerous people associated currently or in the past with Naples Zoo Inc. that it is their intention for the property to maximize development of the zoo exhibits on the property. Why does a not-for-profit need to maximize zoo exhibits?

Taxpayers were never advised during the referendum campaign to buy the Naples Zoo and Caribbean property that the intention was to eliminate the majority of the gardens in favor of zoo exhibits.

The responsibility for the stewardship lies with Collier County commissioners and the tenant, Naples Zoo Inc. We personally feel the lease agreement needs to be modified to protect the significant historical landscaping at the Naples Zoo and Caribbean Gardens. We ask community members to contact your five county commissioners and Naples Zoo directors by phone or email with your opinions as to whether you want to see the Caribbean Gardens horticulture protected and preserved.